Crane flies
Daddy long-legs
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Family
- Tipulidae
- Infraorder
- Tipulomorpha
- Order
- Diptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Number of Species
- 800
-
- Size Range
- 2 mm - 60 mm
Introduction
Crane flies are the largest family of flies in Australia.
Identification
This group of flies shares its other name with the Daddy Long-legs Spider, however they are not remotely related. Crane flies look like giant mosquitoes with their long skinny legs and long wings but are quite harmless and do not bite, sting, or suck blood.
Habitat
Crane flies live in urban areas, and forests and woodlands. They commonly occur in Sydney in moist environments such as urban gardens and woodlands because the larvae need moisture to survive. Some larvae are aquatic while others get enough moisture from the soil or mud.
Distribution
Crane flies are found throughout Australia.
Life history cycle
Depending on the species and environmental conditions, the life cycle of crane flies is variable. The larvae can live for up to a year but adults only a few days or weeks.
